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Next generation of Canadian figure skating stars hit Victoria
| Source: |
Victoria Times-Colonist |
| Date: |
May 15, 2012 |
| Author: |
Cleve Dheensaw |
In case you've been preoccupied and haven't noticed, figure skating in
Canada is back in a big way.
Only the names have changed, with Chan, Virtue and Moir replacing
Orser, Manley, Browning, Stojko, Sale and Pelletier.
"I believe it [skating] is on the mend and the sport is getting some
traction again," said former four-time world champion Kurt Browning,
choreographer for the Investors Group Stars on Ice show tonight at 7
p.m. at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
"A highlight has been Tessa [Virtue] and Scott [Moir] reclaiming the
world ice-dance crown and we celebrate that in each town we
visit."
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic champions will headline a show
tonight that also features Olympic bronze-medallists Joannie Rochette
and Jeffrey Buttle.
After more than two decades of working in Stars on Ice in various on-
and off-ice capacities, Browning has taken over chief choreography
this year for the 12-city tour which kicked off April 27 in Halifax
and has played Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Air Canada Centre in
Toronto and MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
"After 21 years, I'm kind of the big boss," he chuckled.
Browning learned a lot from his extensive time in the show and leans
on that.
"You can't re-create the wheel," he said, in a telephone
interview.
Which is fine by Victoria fans, who remain among the most loyal to the
annual show, which is making its way to the B.C. capital after playing
the Saddledome in Calgary on Sunday and Rexall Place in Edmonton on
Monday. Although better known for summer sports, Victoria has also
always been a big figure-skating town and has hosted Skate Canada
International, the Olympic trials and national championships.
"The show has always drawn well in Victoria and we have received a lot
of support from fans on the Island," said Browning.
"The building [Memorial Centre] is a good size for us."
After tonight's penultimate stop on Blanshard Street, the 2012 Stars
on Ice tour concludes Friday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
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